Strategic Events Manager: Experience & Onsite

Ziff Davis, Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ziff Davis is seeking an ambitious, autonomous Events Manager in Texas to support the Director of Events for SpiceWorld and regional activations. The role emphasizes both strategic thinking and practical execution with 3–5 years of experience.

You will spearhead attendee experience, sponsor alignment, vendor and venue coordination, event tech, on-site production, and budget tracking across the event lifecycle, including pre/post analyses.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of corporate event management experience, preferably in B2B or tech.
• Hands-on expertise with event tech platforms (Cvent, Bizzabo) for registration and sponsor management.
• Strong contract literacy with experience reviewing vendor proposals and tracking event budgets.
• Practical knowledge across the full event lifecycle, including strategy support and content coordination.

Responsibilities

• Strategic & Attendee Experience Support: Support the Director in aligning event initiatives with business goals and brand strategy.
• Sponsorship & Sales Alignment: Collaborate with sales teams, join sponsor calls, assist in executing activation packages, and fulfill sponsor deliverables.
• Vendor & Venue Coordination: Primary operational contact for vendors, venue management, source bids, oversee room sets and catering flow.
• Event Technology & Data Administration: Lead setup/maintenance of event platforms to manage registration, data, mobile app, and exhibitor portal.
• Onsite Execution & Production: Lead onsite load-in/setup/strike, coordinate power, Wi-Fi, AV, decor, security, and real-time logistics.
• Content & Speaker Logistics: Support program curation and manage speaker requirements, AV setup, green room logistics, and tech run-throughs.
• Budget Tracking & Fulfillment: Track budgets, audit invoices, manage room blocks, and oversee assets and shipping.

Skills

Event management

Vendor coordination

Project coordination

Event technology

Tools

Cvent

Bizzabo

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious, highly autonomous Events Manager to serve as the o perational second-in-command to the Director of Events. In this role, you will act as the operational backbone for our flagship annual conference, SpiceWorld, alongside various regional activations. The ideal candidate brings 3 to 5 years of event production experience, thrives on end-to-end execution, and is eager to take total ownership of vendor logistics, event tech, onsite production, and cross-functional workflows.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Business Alignment: Partner with the Director to align event strategy with overarching business goals, brand vision, and event success metrics.

Attendee Experience & Journey: Oversee the end-to-end attendee lifecycle, managing audience touchpoints across pre-event communications, registration communication flows, onsite experience design, and post-event survey analysis.

Sponsorship & Sales Alignment: Collaborate with internal sales and Customer Success and Client Strategy teams to create, execute, and deliver custom sponsor activation packages while ensuring all contractual deliverables are met.

Vendor & Venue Coordination: Serve as a primary operational contact for third-party vendors, agencies, and venue management.

Event Technology & Data Administration: Oversee event platform administration in Cvent managing registration agenda, mobile app, and providing regular internal reporting.

Onsite Execution & Logistics: Support the Director and broader team onsite during events, working closely as operational lead for third-party vendors and venue contacts

Budget Tracking & Fulfillment: Track baseline event budgets, audit vendor invoices, manage room blocks, and oversee swag sourcing, fulfillment, and shipping logistics.

Event Marketing: Assist in executing cross-channel event marketing plan to drive attendance and sponsor engagement.

Job Qualifications:

3 to 5 years of corporate event management experience, preferably in B2B or tech.

Experience with flagship, owned user conferences and direct experience working with hotels and conference centers is preferred.

Hands-on expertise in event tech platforms (Cvent, Bizzabo, ON24 or equivalent) for registration, agenda, and sponsor management.

Strong contract literacy with experience reviewing vendor proposals and tracking event budgets.

Experience executing smaller, regional events a bonus

Practical knowledge across the full event lifecycle, including strategy support, speaker/content management, and operational duties.

Texas location preferred, with availability to travel to SpiceWorld (Nov 12-13 in Austin, TX) and attend site visits as needed.

About Ziff Davis

Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, health, cybersecurity, and martech. Today, Ziff Davis is focused on six key verticals – Technology, Shopping, Entertainment, Health & Wellness, Cybersecurity and Marketing Technology. Its brands include IGN, Mashable, RetailMeNot, PCMag, Humble Bundle, Spiceworks, Everyday Health, BabyCenter, Moz, iContact and Vipre Security.

SWZD offers competitive salaries in addition to robust, health and wellness-focused benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life and disability benefits. Our employees enjoy Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), a 401(k) with company match, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

We are committed to work-life balance with Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, and paid holidays. We offer family building and caregiving support and generous Family Care and Parental leave, when you need it. We also provide Fitness Reimbursement and access to wellness programs, ensuring our team stays healthy both physically and mentally.

At Ziff Davis, we remain dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We offer Employee Resource Groups, company-sponsored events, and regular opportunities for professional growth through educational support, mentorship programs, and career development resources. Our employees are recognized and celebrated through employee engagement programs and recognition awards.

If you're seeking a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance and thrive both personally and professionally, then SWZD is the place for you.

At Ziff Davis, we remain dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We offer Employee Resource Groups, company-sponsored events, and regular opportunities for professional growth through educational support, mentorship programs, and career development resources. Our employees are recognized and celebrated through employee engagement programs and recognition awards.

If you're seeking a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance and thrive both personally and professionally, then SWZD is the place for you.

Compensation Range

Please be sure to review the US pay transparency guidance document here and include the below for any locations where a salary range is required.

Ziff Davis provides a range for the base pay. Factors that may be used to determine your actual pay may include your specific job related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. The salary compensation for this role is $70000 to $80000. Individual pay within the compensation range for this business unit specific role is determined based on a variety of factors including experience, scope of the role, capabilities to perform the role, education and training, as well as business and company performance.

Ziff Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Ziff Davis, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has always been about fairness, equal opportunity, and belonging. DEI enables us to attract and retain the best talent, regardless of background or circumstances, while enabling our thousands of employees worldwide to thrive.